The Schuylerville Central School District Class of 2021’s commitment to community service and academic achievement truly exemplifies the district motto, “Schooling, Caring, Succeeding.” Among the 115 students who are expected to graduate at this year’s commencement ceremony, read more about the Top 10 students who are graduating at the top of their class.
Valedictorian Camilla Brown
Academic accomplishments and awards
Camilla Brown’s dedication to her studies resulted in her accomplishment of Class of 2021 Valedictorian, as well as a number of other achievements, including: being named the Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award recipient; earning outstanding achievement awards in AP World History, Mixed Media, French III, Chemistry, and English 10H; being inducted into the National Honor Society, and being named a CSEA Unit 8456 Scholarship recipient.
Participation in clubs, activities, and athletics
French Club Co-President, National Honor Society Recording Secretary, Environmental Club, Envirothon, Quiz Team, Select Choir, and Drama Club. Brown also ran indoor and outdoor track, as well as cross country.
Community service involvement
Project Lift student mentor, Saratoga County Animal Shelter cat fosterer, Beyond the Bell German Class teacher’s assistant, Division Street Elementary School Cultural Fair volunteer, Schuylerville Saint Nicholas Day Parade volunteer, a National Honor Society tutor, and Police Reform Task Force student member.
Fondest memory
“My fondest memory was participating in Envirothon through our Environmental Club.”
Brown is the student of Meike Wiesenberg and David Brown. She will attend Skidmore College and major in environmental science.
Salutatorian Cody Belden
Academic accomplishments and awards
Cody Belden’s dedication to his studies resulted in his accomplishment of Class of 2021 Salutatorian, as well as a number of other achievements, including the Harvard Book Award and the St. Lawrence University Augsbury/North Country Scholarship.
Participation in clubs, activities, and athletics
Belden was the captain of Quiz Team and treasurer of both Student Council and Environmental Club. He also participated in varsity cross country, indoor track and outdoor track.
Community service involvement
Belden volunteered his time helping to livestream masses during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine, in an effort to make services more accessible for everyone. He also worked as a volunteer at the Schuylerville Community Theater Summer Program, helping to run a production while teaching children music.
Fondest memory
“My favorite memory of being a student at Schuylerville was winning cross country sectionals in 2019. We came into the season with tempered expectations, but able to outperform any of our predictions and the team was just a fun group to be around.”
Belden is the student of Christine and Mark Belden. He will attend St. Lawrence University and major in neuroscience/psychology.
Emily Oakes
Academic accomplishments and awards
Emily Oakes achieved High Honor Roll every quarter each year of high school and near perfect attendance (she missed one day in the last seven years). Oakes received a number of awards including: Outstanding Effort in Studio Art Award (2018); Outstanding Achievement in English 10 Honors Award (2019); Outstanding Achievement in Health Award (2019), and the Student of the Quarter Award (2019).
Participation in clubs, activities, and athletics
Oakes was a member of Art Club, Drama Club, and French club, and has had has had her work published in The Looking Glass Art and Literary Journal.
Community service involvement
Every 9th period for six months, Oakes helped three students with disabilities in Ms. Luke’s Studio Art class. She also helped make chocolates for the chocolate sale organized by French club, and has helped pack up boxes to send to soldiers through Operation Adopt-a-Soldier.
Fondest memory
“My fondest memory at Schuylerville High School was during 11th grade when I volunteered to help the disabled students in Ms. Luke’s art class for six months. Each day I looked forward to 9th period when I would go to her classroom and help out. This actually played a big part in helping me decide what I wanted to do for a career.”
Oakes is the student of Cheryl and Jeffrey Oakes. She will attend Nazareth College and major in psychology.
Patrick McGloine
Academic accomplishments and awards
Patrick McGloine is a NYSPHAA Scholar Athlete, an achievement earned by student-athletes who maintain a 90.0 or higher GPA. McGloine has received two Schuylerville awards for excellence in math, is a College Board National Recognition Program honoree, and received the Saint Michael’s College Book Award.
Participation in clubs, activities, and athletics
McGloine served as the treasurer for the National Honor Society, and was a member of the Environmental Club, Boy Scouts, and Spanish Club. He also participated in varsity cross country, track, and the ski team.
Community service involvement
McGloine built batting cages for the Old Saratoga Athletic Association as part of an Eagle Scout project.
Fondest memory
“My fondest memory is running cross country with Coach Emblidge.”
McGloine is the student of Deborah and Thomas McGloine. He will attend Saint Michael’s College and major in environmental science.
Molly Vianese
Academic accomplishments and awards
During her time at Schuylerville High School, Molly Vianese was a student-athlete who achieved High Honor Roll, was recognized with the George Eastman Young Leaders Award, was a school winner of the Wendy’s High School Heisman Scholarship and received NY State Senate Youth Leadership Recognition.
Participation in clubs, activities, and athletics
Volleyball (captain), Basketball (captain), Softball, Yearbook Club, French Club, Varsity Club, NHS, Student Council, and Student Government (Sophomore Class President).
Community service involvement
Saratoga Miss Softball
Fondest memory
“My fondest memories include playing on the volleyball, basketball, and softball teams, and attending other sporting events to cheer on my classmates.”
Vianese is the student of Katie and Justin Vianese. She will attend the University of Rochester and major in finance.
Lulu Burkowski
Academic accomplishments and awards
During her time at Schuylerville High School, Lulu Burkowski achieved High Honor Roll, received the George H. Ball Community Achievement Award from Keuka College and the Dean’s Award from SUNY Oneonta.
Participation in clubs, activities, and athletics
Burkowski was an active member of Art Club and will further her talent in college.
Community service involvement
Burkowski donated her time knitting hats for the C.R. Wood Cancer Center at Glens Falls Hospital.
Fondest memory
“My fondest memory was the Art Club field trip in 2019.”
Burkowski is the student of Volker and Axel Burkowski. She will attend SUNY Oneonta and major in art & design.
Cameron Wian
Academic accomplishments and awards
Cameron Wian is a NYSPHAA Scholar Athlete, an achievement earned by student-athletes who maintain a 90.0 or higher GPA. He earned High Honor Roll achievement, was a Math League Champion, a FIRST Robotics Tech Valley Regional Quarterfinalist, the 2018 Rensselaer Medal Winner, the National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program Winner, and the 2021 Post-Star Teen Excellence Award honoree.
Participation in clubs, activities, and athletics
Wian participated in soccer (JV and varsity), the ski team (varsity), track and field (varsity), and was on the state semi-finalist team for varsity boys soccer. He was also a member of the FIRST Robotics Team 4508, the Quiz Team, Math League, Spanish Club, and Environmental Club, and participated in the Captain Internship with Ten80 Education as well as STEM tutoring.
Community service involvement
Summer Technology Enrichment Program (STEP) Program Assistant 2017; Hudson Crossing Park events 2014-present; Schuylerville Drama Club set building/takedown 2017-2019; Saratoga Homeless Shelter Thanksgiving Meal 2019, and Schuylerville CSD athletics events fundraising 2014-present.
Fondest memory
“Going to the state championships for soccer, getting to take a nice bus and stay in a fancy hotel with a bunch of my friends.”
Wian is the student of Cynthia and Kent Wian. He will attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute and major in robotics engineering.
Samuel McGarrahan
Academic accomplishments and awards
Samuel McGarrahan is a NYSPHAA Scholar Athlete, an achievement earned by student-athletes who maintain a 90.0 or higher GPA. McGarrahan was also on the academic High Honor Roll throughout his four years of high school.
Participation in clubs, activities, and athletics
McGarrahan was a member of Quiz team, Spanish club, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, and the National Honor Society. He was also a multi-season athlete, participating in football (captain senior year), basketball, track and field, and the ski team.
Community service involvement
Babysitting, and volunteering at the Franklin Community Center and Universal Preservation Hall.
Fondest memory
“My fondest memory is the foreign language Lip Sync Battle.”
McGarrahan is the student of Brian and Mary Beth McGarrahan. He will attend Middlebury College and major in economics.
Lauren Bilinski
Academic accomplishments and awards
Lauren Bilinski received a number of awards and recognitions during her time at Schuylerville High School, including: Outstanding Effort in World History 9 Honors, Outstanding Achievement in Earth Science, and the George H. Ball Community Achievement Award from Keuka College. She was selected to represent Schuylerville at the National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC), selected for the Congress of Future Medical Leaders Award of Excellence, and invited to join the National Society of High School Scholars. Bilinski also has had her work published in The Looking Glass Art and Literary Journal.
Participation in clubs, activities, and athletics
Yearbook Club, photographing for the Schuylerville Elementary First Grade Valentine’s Day Dance, and the organization of the Schuylerville CSD Student Section Instagram page, informing students on games, meetings, and important updates. Bilinski also participated in JV basketball, and JV and varsity lacrosse.
Community service involvement
Bilinski fundraised for Kelly’s Angels every year since before high school, including bake sales, raffles, selling merchandise, etc. She also participated in Fort Hardy clean-up days, assisted with the Schuylerville Elementary School First Grade Valentine’s Day Dance, worked concessions for lacrosse tournaments at school and fundraised for Relay for Life. Bilinski received an excellence award for outstanding efforts in fundraising through M&T Bank Relay For Life Committee.
Fondest memory
“I can’t particularly pick one specific memory; my time at Schuylerville High School was something I am thankful for everyday. Some of my favorite memories include participating in the Lip Sync Battle, attending prom my sophomore year, photography class field trips, and of course the amazing environment at all Schuylerville sporting events, especially watching the football team go to states once again!”
Bilinski is the student of Erica and Joseph Bilinski. She will attend Nazareth College and major in early childhood education.
Jack Dwyer
Academic accomplishments and awards
Jack Dwyer received numerous recognitions during his time at Schuylerville High School, including: the Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award; Outstanding Achievement in Geometry award; Outstanding Achievement in World History award; AP Scholar Award, and was a National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program winner. Dwyer was selected to attend the Foothills Council’s Leadership Summit at Fulton-Montgomery Community College, was a Navy ROTC Scholarship Winner, and an Air Force ROTC Scholarship winner. Dwyer is attending Syracuse University on an AFROTC Scholarship. He was also selected to attend the 2019 National Student Leadership Conference and the 2019 National Youth Leadership Forum in Engineering.
Participation in clubs, activities, and athletics
Dwyer participated in the Schuylerville High School Lip Sync Battle and Schuylerville High School chapter of FBLA. He was also active in his church group at Notre Dame Visitation Church. Dwyer played on several athletic teams, including football, soccer, basketball, tennis, and track and field.
Community service involvement
Dwyer volunteered at the Schuylerville Public Library and the Notre Dame Visitation Church.
Fondest memory
“Winning back to back sectional championships playing football.”
Dwyer is the student of Marci and Michael Dwyer. He will attend Syracuse University and major in civil engineering.